Complete VA background check and fingerprinting at least 30 days prior to start of rotation.

Primary Goals of Elective:

To provide a comprehensive experience in evaluating and managing patients with a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Specific Objectives:

Students will follow patients on the inpatient Infectious Diseases consult service as assigned by the attending or fellow.They will complete appropriate histories and physical exams on these patients and present their findings to the consult attending on rounds.

Students will evaluate and complete updated histories and physical exams on patients assigned to them in Infectious Diseases and Hepatology clinics.They will present and form a plan of care with the clinic attending.

Students will complete and document in EMR the history, physical exam, and plan of care for each patient assigned to them on the Infectious Diseases consult service and in the Infectious Diseases and Hepatology clinics as discussed with the fellow or attending.They will identify either the fellow or attending as a co-signer to their notes.

Students will read about the conditions pertaining to their patients and present to the attending physician the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment plans as well as additional reading as assigned by the consult attending.

Students will attend the weekly Infectious Disease conferences at LSU and Internal Medicine Grand Rounds at the VA via Lync.

Attendance:

Students must be present every weekday. Students are allowed two excused absences for interviews during the four week rotation. This excused absence must be approved by the attending physician. Any additional absences must be approved by the attending physician and course director and must be made up before the semester is completed. Documentation of such interviews must be provided to the course director. Students will receive an incomplete until such absences have been made up. Make-up days are at the discretion of the course director.

Resources for Learning:

The student is expected to use general reference material such as Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine and specialty texts to achieve a basic understanding of their patients’ diseases and their practical management. The resources of the fellows, residents, attending physician and consulting physicians should be used routinely to supplement the student’s reading, as well as recourse to journal articles and internet resources as needed.

Texts: Mandell’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases (available online or from attendings)

Hands-on Experience: Supervised evaluation and management of patients with infectious diseases in the inpatient and outpatient setting

Self-Directed Learning: Focused review of topics directly related to the management of patients seen using the library and online resources.

Evaluation:

Students will receive an informal formative evaluation from the attending physician at the end of the first two weeks of the rotation. Students will receive a summative evaluation by the attending physician.